IT@Intel White Paper Intel IT Mobility Tablets May 2013

Deploying Tablets Safely in Manufacturing to Boost Productivity

Executive Overview Intel IT is currently deploying To increase business productivity, Intel IT conducted multiple proof of concepts ruggedized Intel® architecture- (PoCs) to identify business, safety,1 and ergonomic requirements for the use of based tablets and Ultrabook™ mobile devices, including tablets, in our manufacturing environments. We provided 2 convertibles for use in Intel’s feedback to external suppliers on specifications for ruggedized and intrinsically safe Intel® architecture-based tablets. Using these mobile devices, as well as Ultrabook™ manufacturing environments convertibles, will help to boost employee productivity in Intel factories, warehouses, and tool install design office. security areas, construction sites, clean rooms, and tool install design office, where using a standard laptop PC is unsuitable.

Our PoCs showed standardization benefits for the workflow and ergonomics. A team of in efficiency, accuracy, and savings in time environmental health and safety engineers, and costs from using tablets, including the along with ergonomists, analyzed both device following: usage and work environments to produce detailed recommendations for tablet use. • Facility technicians reported an increase in productivity of up to 17 percent, based on We are deploying ruggedized Intel the number of completed work orders architecture-based tablets for use in Intel’s • Factory technicians setting up thousands manufacturing environments and tool install of tool parameters noted that the process design office. For some employees, the right 3 was more accurate with tablets than using fit will be business Ultrabook convertibles ; print versions for others, tablets certified as intrinsically safe will be required. • One PoC reported over 300 pages per tool Vivian Harrington of printing saved by using online information, Tablet options will evolve as we continue to TMG Factory Worker along with 30-percent time savings work with suppliers to produce enterprise— Mobility Program Manager, Intel IT rather than consumer—versions that While in many cases tablets improved efficiency, fully meet Intel requirements for weight, Bridget Masterson our research showed that the tested devices Ergonomist, Corporate Services intellectual property (IP) protection, security, were not always a perfect solution. Constraints battery life, and other key attributes. This in many of our manufacturing environments Niamh Donohoe combination of research, discussions with require form factors not yet commercially Industrial Hygiene Engineer suppliers, and risk mitigation enables Intel to EHS, Corporate Services available. As a result, the devices used in the extend mobility to specialized environments PoCs often lacked critical features important Declan McCormack safely and further drive Lean processes. Facility Technician, Corporate Services 1 Safety refers to both the use of IT equipment and the actual work environment in which the equipment needs to be used. 2 Intrinsically safe devices ensure that the available electrical and thermal energy in the device is always low enough that Martin Dolan the ignition of a potentially flammable atmosphere cannot occur. Client Services, Intel IT 3 See “Deploying Business Ultrabook™ Devices in the Enterprise,” January 2013. IT@Intel White Paper Deploying Tablets Safely in Manufacturing to Boost Productivity

Contents Background Depending on their role and work environment, these employees may have a Intel IT embraces consumerization and Executive Overview...... 1 desktop or laptop PC or workstation as their mobility as a way to boost employee primary computing device; some even use Background...... 2 productivity. Intel employees report tablets as a primary device. In some cases, saving an average of 57 minutes daily Researching and Defining employees share a computing device with using mobile computing devices, adding Requirements...... 4 other employees in the same work group. up to an annual productivity gain Extending Mobility Safely to of about 5 million hours.4 However, In a recent proof of concept (PoC), facility Manufacturing Environments...... 4 employees in some areas of Intel’s technicians reported a productivity increase Matching the Solution to business have not been able to take by using tablets of up to 17 percent, based on the Environment...... 4 5 full advantage of the benefits of the number of completed work orders. Other Proof-of-Concept Challenges ...... 5 newly available mobile computing form factory technicians use tablets to access work Common Requirements...... 6 factors, such as tablets, because the applications remotely to follow up on work Safety and Ergonomic currently available consumer devices do orders or to access instructions while they Considerations...... 6 not meet our enterprise requirements. work next to the equipment. The improved Results and Employee Feedback.... 7 standardization of task performance aligns Evolving to a Better Fit through Over 80 percent of Intel employees use with Lean process goals and boosts efficiency. Discussions with Suppliers...... 8 mobile computing devices including tablets. In addition to increasing productivity, Intel The use of portable tablets with touch employees report increased job satisfaction Next Steps...... 9 screens can increase employee mobility and when they are able to use the device that Conclusion...... 9 productivity, enabling them to work more is best suited to their work needs and efficiently in places where it is unsuitable, environment. For More Information...... 9 inconvenient, or impossible to take their Until recently, most “standalone” tablet laptop. Employees who travel frequently or Acronyms...... 9 models—as opposed to the business spend most of their time away from desks Ultrabook™ convertibles—have been designed appreciate the portability and connectivity for the consumer market and are intended speed of tablets or other mobile devices. to be used in a non-business environment. These employees cite productivity increases Because these types of consumer tablets from being able to move between meetings are being used primarily as inexpensive media or work sites with instant-on response. They consumption devices, raw processing power also enjoy the availability of a variety of and information security are not as important input methods; some models include touch, for this type of content distribution platform. a keyboard, a mouse, or a stylus—and in the future—gesture and voice. Employee workflows in our manufacturing and other specialized environments require As part of our multi-year effort to adopt form factors that have not been readily Lean manufacturing processes, Intel IT has available on the consumer market. Consumer IT@Intel investigated using mobile devices to increase tablets are not designed to be used outdoors, The IT@Intel program connects IT employee productivity and organizational carried long distances, or operated 24 hours professionals around the world with their velocity within our design and manufacturing peers inside our organization – sharing a day, as in a factory environment. In addition, operations, such as factories, clean rooms, lessons learned, methods and strategies. consumer models tend to change rapidly, with and construction sites (see Table 1). Many Our goal is simple: Share Intel IT best new models being introduced annually to employees working in our factories and practices that create business value and meet consumer demand, which makes them other specialized settings are highly mobile make IT a competitive advantage. Visit difficult to support long-term in an enterprise and have specific workflow and safety us today at www.intel.com/IT or contact environment. your local Intel representative if you’d requirements. like to learn more.

5 See “Improving Facility Operations with 4 See 2012-2013 Intel IT Performance Report. Intel® Architecture-based Tablets,” August 2012.

2 www.intel.com/IT Deploying Tablets Safely in Manufacturing to Boost Productivity IT@Intel White Paper

Tablet Model Variations Meet Differing Needs Tablet is a term that covers multiple mobile devices that vary in purpose, power, size, and portability. The slate type of tablet is one representation of the tablet PC. It is basically a flat computer screen that can be placed on the desk. On-screen manipulation is done with a stylus instead of the conventional keyboard and mouse. The slate can be used as one would a piece of paper that can be handwritten on directly; no typing is required. A keyboard and other accessories can be used but are not built in. Slate tablets can be either a consumer or enterprise device and come with 64-bit processors while traditional tablet PCs are typically Intel® Atom™ processor-based devices. The convertible tablet is a hybrid of a laptop and a tablet. The screen can be flipped open and manipulated by using the attached keyboard and touch pad. Convertibles are designed to convert from a laptop to a tablet. These models feature screens that slide, detach or rotate, where the keyboard and screen can be configured in different, model-specific ways. Most convertibles have built-in Wi-Fi* capability for accessing the Internet. Some convertibles are designed for consumers; others for enterprise use. On some convertibles, the screen swivels 180 degrees and can be set down over the keyboard so a stylus can be used like a slate tablet. The business Ultrabook™ convertible devices Intel is deploying+ to employees can allow the screen to detach from the keyboard, so an employee can carry just the screen and use it as a tablet. Not all convertibles are detachables. Rugged or ruggedized tablet PCs are versatile. They can withstand excessive heat and perform equally well at below-freezing temperatures. They can be dropped onto hard surfaces and are not easily damaged by the dirt and debris encountered at manufacturing facilities and construction sites. Rugged tablets generally meet military standards and international protection ratings for vibration, drop, dust, humidity, and water protection. As a result of this extra protection, rugged tablets weigh more than standard tablets and are predominantly enterprise devices. Intrinsically safe tablets are a special category of PCs that are certified to include protection standards when used in potentially explosive atmospheres, commonly called hazardous locations. These tablets are usually ruggedized because they are designed for industrial environments, but not all rugged tablets meet these specific safety specifications and approval ratings. Some popular, strictly consumer tablets are not truly computers because they don’t run a full OS such as Microsoft Windows*; they use a limited version of a mobile phone OS. These tablets—often a type of note pad or reader device—are not as powerful or functional as a “true” tablet computer, but they are much lighter, less expensive, and usually come with built-in 3G broadband modems. The size and weight of a tablet (including convertibles) influences whether one model is the right choice for a particular use. For example, 10-inch screens offer high detail and legibility for reading and creating documents but are not designed for carrying in pockets. Seven-inch screen tablets are typically light and easy to hold but can crowd screen objects and are also not designed for pockets. Five-inch screens are highly portable but can make browsing and typing difficult. The latter are often the popular consumer models mentioned above and are more like mobile phones than laptops.

Slate Tablet Convertible Tablet Ruggedized Tablet Intrinsically Safe Tablet Flat computer screen; Hybrid of a laptop and a tablet; Able to withstand excessive Similar to ruggedized tablets; input is done with a stylus input is done with attached keyboard temperatures, are not easily damaged however, they are certified for and touch pad by dropping or dirt and debris hazardous locations

Examples of four tablet types.

+ See “Deploying Business Ultrabook Devices in the Enterprise,” January 2013.

www.intel.com/IT 3 IT@Intel White Paper Deploying Tablets Safely in Manufacturing to Boost Productivity

With a goal to increase employee Researching and appropriate accessories, carrying handles, a productivity and improve workflows, we rugged, waterproof exterior, and, for security researched use cases and conducted PoCs Defining Requirements reasons, an absent or disabled camera to to identify requirements for enterprise Through our multiple PoCs, internal protect IP within our manufacturing facilities. mobile devices that are fit for purpose, research on use cases, and product safe, and meet ergonomic requirements research, we identified the business, Matching the Solution to for the situations in some of our work safety, and ergonomic requirements for the Environment environments. Fit for purpose refers to the enterprise tablets and business Ultrabook Each of our specialized, non-office work ability to meet business requirements and convertibles in our manufacturing and environments involves special use cases that handle special conditions, including adverse specialized environments. We provided require the appropriate device in terms of weather, dusty or wet work environments, input to external suppliers on design workflow, safety, and ergonomic ease of use. security restrictions, and the potential for specifications for tablets that meet While conducting 19 PoCs across the company dropping or damaging the tablet. our enterprise needs. Our discussions in different geographical and work settings, with suppliers on intellectual property While employee needs vary, we wanted to we gathered the details of our customer (IP) concerns, use cases, ergonomics, minimize the number of tablet platforms requirements and feedback on available tablets. and support models have resulted in deployed in the field to reduce support Examples of use cases included the following: increased suitability of devices that costs. To do this, we needed to clearly • Mobile campus security employees support our enterprise needs. identify the appropriate requirements and testing rugged tablets select devices that had the flexibility to • Construction workers reviewing project support multiple use cases. Our process Extending Mobility Safely to details with tablets included evaluating devices, engaging Manufacturing Environments with our internal customers to learn Many Intel employees within manufacturing • Engineers using tablets in meetings about typical work situations, conducting work in specialized, non-office environments. within clean rooms PoCs, and then analyzing the results and These include construction, warehousing, and • Technicians using slate tablets to carry employee feedback. flammable substance environments, as well as out configuration and maintenance tasks factories, assembly and test sites, and clean within clean rooms The results from our PoCs helped us rooms. Additionally, while on patrol, the mobile develop a list of requirements for tablets • Facility equipment control employees security staff have specialized requirements. and convertibles, including ones that using intrinsically safe tablets that comply will improve ergonomics and safe use of In the factories alone, technicians complete with applicable safety regulations these devices at Intel. After consulting over 60,000 planned maintenance activities • Tool qualification technicians using 6 with suppliers and providing feedback each year. Often these workers must rely on rugged tablets on specifications, we intend to deploy paper processes or other methods to retrieve Our primary goal for these PoCs was to models of ruggedized Intel® architecture- information to do their work, because the understand the business needs for each use based tablets within some areas of our available compute devices do not match their case in order to provide the appropriate device manufacturing operations, as well as the workflow needs. These workers have special for the user. We researched how employees business Ultrabook convertibles. We are also needs for devices to be field-ready and fit currently performed their jobs and in what planning future PoCs to continue to research for purpose. circumstances the use of a tablet might requirements and address the potential Battery life, size, weight, and ergonomic increase their productivity. We also needed to areas where we can improve employee features are all important mobility and safety ensure the tablet could be used safely within productivity and organizational velocity requirements. Other requirements include the the environment and with proper ergonomics. using tablet and convertible form factors. 6 See “Improving Facility Operations with Intel® Architecture-based Tablets,” August 2012.

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Once we understood the business laptops, consumer tablets, rugged tablets, Sharing Tablets to requirements and potential value of using intrinsically safe tablets, and slate tablets. Reduce Costs mobile devices to improve workflow, we The consumer tablets used in the PoCs examined what was available, how the Because mobile devices are often used were not designed for enterprise use or for devices and applications could support as companion devices for Intel employees, the specific use cases in our manufacturing process improvements, and whether we using a shared pool of devices in our environments. We modified these consumer could deliver an appropriate solution. manufacturing work environment offers tablets prior to testing to address Intel’s many benefits. Ruggedized devices can Table 1 outlines some of the challenges security requirements. Because of IP be multiple times the cost of standard and constraints employees face in using concerns in our manufacturing environments, consumer ones and intrinsically safe computing devices within a variety of we disabled the tablets’ cameras. Other IP versions are even more expensive. By manufacturing environments at Intel. concerns included management of the data sharing a single device across multiple potentially stored on the devices and how shifts of workers, initial investment costs the data is transferred to and from the Proof-of-Concept Challenges are reduced and capital equipment costs device. To address this, we created an We encountered several challenges during are avoided. Managing fewer devices also engineering build with multi-user logon our PoCs, which focused on a variety helps to reduce support and refresh costs. of form factors, including traditional capabilities (see sidebar). Sharing devices involves taking additional precautions prior to deployment. In order for employees at the ends of their Table 1. Examples of Specialized Workplace Challenges shifts to transfer the tablets to others Environment Employee Profile or Task Challenges and Constraints employees, or to return the device to Factory, • Technicians suited in • No place to set things down, except on the floor the toolbox, any personally generated including the head-to-toe clean • Carrying bag must be site-approved documents or information such as Clean Room room suits and gloves; elaborate robing and • Likelihood of dropping the device due to low friction emails must be properly encrypted and between suit sleeves, gloves, and device disrobing protocols inaccessible to the next user. • Latex gloves with underliners may not work well for tapping • Technicians performing tasks with a tablet; need a stylus To do this, Intel IT created multi-logon tasks, including maintenance and tool • Equipment must meet clean room specifications engineering builds to support multiple qualification, in various • Devices cannot be recharged in the immediate area users. We developed authorization postures • To preserve intellectual property (IP), cameras are not allowed and authentication procedures that Construction • Employees moving from • Dusty, dirty sites could affect device performance match our existing processes for and Facilities one area to another as • WLAN connectivity is often limited, such as at sites under laptops. For example, we used a process necessary, often carrying construction or in remote locations on site where a user signs in and out of their tools • Outdoor conditions such as rain affect visibility, usability, personalized account. This approach and device durability enabled more employees to participate • Equipment susceptible to physical damage in our tablet proof of concepts, which • Must often hold the device while standing; ergonomic provided additional employee feedback guidelines required and helped save time and reduce costs. • Gloves may be required either because of regulations or temperature; need a stylus • Must often hold or transport devices, such as in confined or restricted areas or carrying up ladders Flammable • Workers in or delivering • Specialized safety requirements for devices that could ignite Materials materials to these areas flammable materials Areas • Devices not allowed in certain safety perimeters • Chemical-resistant gloves reduce accuracy for tapping and lessens grip on device • Potential contamination of device with chemicals

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Common Requirements A tablet must also have the following the issues associated with mobile devices. The PoCs helped us develop a list of common capabilities for our manufacturing Eventually, we chose a device for the clean requirements for mobile devices across a environments: room and fabrication center, as well as a ruggedized one used in the facilities, which variety of use cases within our manufacturing • Ability to be used on WLANs or cellular are specialized locations outside the factory environments. These requirements include networks, if a WLAN is not available gathering, accessing, or transmitting data at floors and areas between factory buildings. • Allow direct connectivity to our enterprise the point of service or point of activity. A separate PoC with maintenance technicians network and applications addressed the safety concerns with using an For any proposed solution, we determined • Support Intel’s enterprise Microsoft intrinsically safe device. that the device must include the following Windows*-based applications capabilities: Our first step was to identify unique Another requirement is a stylus must be ergonomic challenges during our PoC tests • Meet Intel IT safety, security, and connected to the device to avoid loss. through direct observation. Partnering with ergonomics standards the key stakeholders resulted in a robust • Be designed for enterprise use and for the Safety and Ergonomic process for risk management while following enterprise lifecycle Considerations currently available best practices and meeting • Have an efficient touch screen that is Intel continuously improves its safety program, local workplace safety regulations. The usable with latex gloves and have suitable evaluating and addressing risks to enhance ergonomic factors included the following: workplace ergonomics and overall employee processing performance • Tablet weight during transportation safety. The compact nature of handheld • Be durable and water resistant, for devices devices poses unique ergonomic challenges, • The correlation between tablet weight used outside of the office environment which must be managed effectively to avoid and postures during use • Have long-lasting battery life or hot- injury or accidents. Terms such as “tablet • Standing and sitting postures during use swappable batteries for continuous power shoulder” and “gorilla thumb” commonly • Use of accessories By design, rugged tablets are sturdier and refer to the ill effects that can stem from • Legibility of text on-screen heavier than typical laptops. For use cases the overuse of devices with poorly designed where weight is a factor, the convertibles ergonomics. • Use of gloves used must not weigh more—and ideally weigh Prior to device selection and during our PoCs, we • Cognitive overload and distraction of less—than a typical laptop, which is about studied the safety and ergonomic aspects for the work setting and device 3 pounds (~360kg). tablet use in our manufacturing environments. Intel experts in environmental health, safety, and In addition to ergonomic and environmental We developed safety requirements to help ergonomics produced detailed recommendations considerations, Intel has specific tablet narrow the selection of the devices, as well to address the risks associated with these hardware and software requirements as guidelines for using tablets safely. factors (see Table 2). For example, even though and specific OS and build requirements. Early in the PoC program, Intel IT evaluated tablets are perceived as a lightweight device, Security includes controls for authorization, the ergonomics of multiple devices to reduce how they are carried or held may result in authentication, access, encryption, and the number of choices and better understand user discomfort. These experts advised disabling the camera, as well as physical locking. employees on how to carry and hold the devices.

Table 2. Examples of Recommendations for Ergonomic Safety

Factor Risk Recommendation Device • Holding heavy devices produces stress and fatigue • Investigate using stands or jigs to hold devices Weight • Place tablet on a surface at regular intervals • Do not use a tablet without support for tasks that require continuous standing Posture • Awkward postures result in fatigue after short periods • Work in portrait mode to focus more on the top of the screen • Using a touch screen when seated can produce static shock • Vary posture and the distance to the screen • Use a stylus to reduce static shock Accessories • Dropping or damaging the device • Wrist straps can help prevent dropping • Tripping or neck strain • Avoid using neck straps as these can impose additional neck forces and trip hazards • Losing the stylus • Use a stylus that is attached to the device Gloves • Poor friction between gloves and the device • Wrist straps can help prevent dropping • Poor interface with the screen and functions • Use a stylus to access smaller areas of the screen

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Our recommended specifications include Results and Employee Feedback maximum weight for a tablet and Across the 19 PoCs conducted, employees guidelines on how long devices should reported a variety of advantages to using 85% be used in different postures. tablets, including highlighting the need for Better than the current device For those who hold the device while companion devices in Intel manufacturing or methods used using it, varying the postures is the environments. The feedback varied depending key to minimizing user fatigue. Other on the user’s past level of experience with suggestions for ergonomic safety include tablets. Overall, 85 percent said the PoC using a stand or a jig, how to grip the experience was better than the current device device, and postures to avoid. For those or methods they used7 (see Figure 1). Some who stand while using the device, we use cases involved employees who previously developed guidelines that cover time did not have a compute device, such as those periods and breaks. For those who sit delivering goods to flammable materials sites, Figure 1. Eighty-five percent of participants during use, we made recommendations where special safety regulations are in place said using a tablet was better than the current on elevation, wrist posture, accessories, (see sidebar). For other use cases, employees device or methods they used. and viewing angles to minimize risks. used rugged devices or laptops in the PoC but not for every task. Screen visibility and legibility are key aspect of usability. We recommend that our tablets have a matte surface to 7 Interestingly, although younger employees are generally minimize glare from bright sunlight or portrayed by the high-tech industry as more likely to be overhead lighting. early adopters of technology, we did not experience any age-related correlation to whether a participant in the proof of concept liked or disliked using a tablet.

Safety Requirements for Potentially Flammable Environments Intel has work zones where special safety precautions, including meeting ATEX§ requirements, must be followed. In particular, all equipment used in areas classified as containing flammable materials∆ must be designed and constructed to prevent the possibility of ignition. This can limit the type of compute devices allowed in use, and where. We investigated a specific work environment where workers load or unload flammable materials from tanker trucks—outdoors and in all weather conditions—to see if new technology could be used safely to streamline existing procedures. Because of the hazardous nature of the work environment, technicians wear chemical-resistant coveralls, face shields, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant gloves. No technology devices, including smartphones, are permitted in a perimeter around the loading area because they are a potential source of ignition. Based on risk assessments, procedures require the technician to remain with the truck throughout the loading process. As a result of the risks, the technician must use an ATEX-rated radio to call a colleague for information on loading rates and other details. The colleague then accesses information on a workstation and reads the appropriate data to the technician. While this process follows all the safety guidelines, it is time-consuming and ties up two employees for a single job. If technicians cannot contact colleagues on the radio, they have to stop the process and return to the nearest workstation to check for the data. Poor radio communications and the potential for interference between different conversations can compound the problem. Intel IT performed a proof of concept (PoC) with an intrinsically safe, ruggedized Intel® architecture-based device. The technician could safely access all the necessary information from an area about 32 feet (10 meters) from the truck, outside the safety perimeter, eliminating the need to use a second resource during loading or unloading. The findings from the PoC, where the task was made Lean and safe at the same time, enabled the successful rollout of an intrinsically safe, rugged device suitable for outdoor use. We are providing this solution to other Intel sites, including factories, for use in production processes.

§ The ATEX directive consists of two European Union directives describing what equipment is allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere. ATEX derives its name from the French title of the EC directive: Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives. ∆ Examples of such substances include solvents, such as acetone and ethanol.

www.intel.com/IT 7 IT@Intel White Paper Deploying Tablets Safely in Manufacturing to Boost Productivity

Employees generally agreed that having the systems are not yet designed for touch, Evolving to a Better Fit through compute device at the actual point of activity which meant switching to a stylus or Discussions with Suppliers is an advantage. Employees enjoyed being keyboard. The stylus was sometimes lost or Based on the research conducted during able to complete their tasks more quickly and not available when needed. These factors the PoCs, we identified the business effectively. In fact, many PoC participants required employees to use keyboards and and safety requirements common to a didn’t want to return the device. mice, which increased the cost and number variety of use cases. Intel IT recognizes of components. As more automation Users noted benefits in efficiency, accuracy, that different form factors are required systems are designed to take advantage and savings: for different needs and environments; of touch capabilities, these usability issues one size does not fit all. However, to • “On three separate occasions, I was able should decrease. For now, the need for a minimize the number of tablet form to quickly pull up [the application] to stop keyboard suggests that a business Ultrabook factors and support costs, we wanted to a tool from going down.” convertible is a better fit for such a task. find enterprise tablet versions that met • “Doing the procedure [at the point of activity] multiple needs. makes my work much more accurate.” “We saved an estimated 300 pages Our discussions with suppliers over the • “We saved an estimated 300 pages per per tool of printing, along with a last several months about IP concerns, use tool of printing, along with a 30-percent cases, ergonomics, and support models time savings.” 30-percent time savings.” have resulted in increased availability of However, according to some of the devices to support our enterprise needs. employees, the tablets were not a perfect Currently, no tablet on the consumer market For example, currently all consumer match for all use cases largely because features a battery life than can last an devices on the market include built-in the ones we used in the PoCs were not entire shift of 8 to 12 hours. Therefore, cameras. For the short term, we are specifically designed for their particular use until the market matures, technicians have encouraging manufacturers and OEMs case. For example, the tablets tested were to either recharge their devices during their to provide enterprise solutions that do not ruggedized or designed to be used shifts, typically during a break, or have extra not include a camera. Future solutions outdoors in inclement weather. The tablets rechargeable batteries on hand. However, under evaluation should enable managed were unsuited for dirty, dusty construction several enterprise devices now include security control, such as passive radio- sites or wet conditions. Overall, battery life, extended-life or hot-swap batteries, which frequency identification devices used with size, weight, and ergonomics, as well as an help overcome one of the main drawbacks software to disable the camera and USB operating system not designed for touch, associated with laptop usage. port when entering a restricted area. were the key points of dissatisfaction for As a result of these drawbacks, less than More than one tablet is now available employees in some of the PoCs. three-quarters of users (69 percent) rated the with Intel-based architecture and is One surprising response from a few test devices as acceptable for use. This does designed for enterprise use. Ruggedized technicians was that some maintenance not pass Intel IT’s product standard goal of criteria requires that the device be tasks actually took longer because with 80 percent. We included this feedback in our durable, sealed, and easy to clean and tablets they were following standard step- conversations with mobile device suppliers. disinfect. It must resist moisture, heat, by-step procedures. With a compute device at and dust. The extended battery life and We concluded that tablets have a great the point of activity, technicians were more hot-swap battery feature must allow potential for improving employee productivity likely to carry out the specific task the same it to stay powered and mobile. Field- and organizational velocity, but those currently way each time. And when new or unusual ready conditions require tablets to have available don’t fully meet our requirements conditions arose, technicians had the ability reduced glare for outdoor visibility with a for general use cases. This unavailability led to access reference materials quickly and 180-degree viewing angle. An integrated to including business Ultrabook convertibles make appropriate and accurate decisions. handle should allow for ease in handling on the device roadmap for manufacturing and use while holding. Typing on tablets with gloves presented employees as a standard supported device. problems, particularly for those doing More specific use cases highlighted the need extensive typing in forms and other word- and value of rugged tablets, which were processing applications. Intel automation available to meet requirements.

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Next Steps specialized environments. We also plan to use For More Information Intel architecture-based enterprise mobile Intel plans to have tablet form factors Visit www.intel.com/it to find white devices with Microsoft Windows 8 and touch available to employees—intrinsically papers on related topics: applications later this year. safe, rugged, and convertible—with availability depending on geography. • “Evaluating Ultrabook™ Devices for Some employees will be able to use the Enterprise” business Ultrabook convertibles; some Conclusion • “Improving Workplace Ergonomics will require more specialized tablets through IT” Providing the right tablet to Intel to meet their environmental and work employees involves understanding flow needs. how the tablet will be used, the work We are currently acquiring ruggedized tablets conditions it will be used in, and for use in Intel warehouses, construction any unique safety and ergonomic Contributors sites, and tool install design office, as well as factors. Intel IT’s research, combined Michael Bowe for the security staff while they are on patrol. with product evaluation and supplier In addition, based on positive results from a discussions, identified business Keith Maher pilot test, we are providing intrinsically safe Ultrabook convertibles, ruggedized tablets, and intrinsically safe tablets tablets for flammable materials areas that Acronyms comply with applicable safety regulations. that meet applicable safety regulations IP intellectual property Where weight is a factor and a keyboard is as well as our enterprise needs in needed, business Ultrabook convertibles are factories, security, construction, clean PoC proof of concept a good solution for non-rugged settings. rooms, and other manufacturing environments. We found additional ergonomic challenges with the rugged tablet model—whether intrinsically The results of multiple PoCs focused on the safe or not—because it’s heavier. As mitigation, use of such tablets or convertibles indicate we have modified work environments, including both a desire and need for increased mobility. building shelves to hold the device, to enable Bringing the compute device directly to the ease of use by technicians. To help reduce task, whether outside or in a manufacturing future risks, we plan to regularly reevaluate setting, adds great value. tablets as the technology progresses. Tablet design will evolve as we continue to As we gain additional feedback from our work with suppliers to develop enterprise employees using tablets, we will reexamine versions that fully meet Intel requirements their processes and procedures to enable for weight, IP protection, security, safety, Lean work practices and produce additional battery life, and other key factors. Our goal savings. For example, future interfaces is to minimize the number of form factors to on tablets could be customized by our deploy and support, while ensuring the right employees to show only what is needed fit for specific workflow and safety needs. for their tasks, thus improving workflow Intel environmental health and safety and productivity. As applications and user engineers, along with ergonomists, will interfaces incorporate more touch features, continue to analyze available devices and train the user experience will also improve. employees on the optimum methods of tablet Each time we review a new device, we use to reduce risk of injury or other issues. perform an ergonomic assessment that Extending mobility to specialized environments determines if the device is suitable for safely promotes Lean processes, increases job use and how it should be used. We plan to satisfaction through improved productivity, and continue to work with suppliers to provide results in time and cost savings. tablets that are the best fit for the employees working in our manufacturing and other

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